FOLLOWING a self-funded life scan back in January 2013, where both abdominal aortic and iliac aneurysms were detected, my father was urged to contact his GP with this news. 

The GP promptly referred this problem to the vascular surgeon at Arrowe Park, whose registrar invited my father for a consultation in mid-2013.  

Following this, there was a long period of silence from the hospital, when we assumed a date for the procedure was being generated.

When we questioned them as to the next step, it was confirmed that my father had sadly been “forgotten about” and never added to the operating list for the necessary procedures to be carried out.

After further requests from the family, finally a date was given, September 2014. 

Unfortunately, days before this, the operation was cancelled due to there being no critical care bed available.

The procedure was rearranged for November 2014 and again cancelled just days before. 

Again the procedure was rearranged for January 7, 2015, and unbelievably again, the operation was cancelled due to lack of a critical care bed. 

On the third occasion my father was actually sat in the theatre assessment lounge when he was informed that this operation was yet again to be cancelled. 

It does seem unfair that he has had to endure the catalogue of unforeseen circumstances and he has concluded that the NHS are just waiting for him to die. 

Name and address supplied.